RHS cross country visits Gunnison

RANGELY I The Rangely cross country team took off Friday to head to the Mountaineer Cowboy Invitational in Gunnison, Colo. With this race being sponsored by Western State University the team took advantage of time to visit the campus. Many of the runners had never had the opportunity to visit a campus before so it was an eye opener as well as a chance for them to see how important grades are. The race was Saturday with college runners first, then high school. The runners got there early so they could support alumni William Scoggins who runs for the Fort Lewis Skyhawks. He ran a good race moving up places as the race progressed, he finished 43rd with a time of 28:59 for five miles. The high school races were faster this year than they had been in the past. Patrick Scoggins took seventh place, running 17:29.32 seconds faster than last year. “It seems that the runners are getting faster and stronger each year, which makes some really great competition at the meets,” said coach Beth Scoggins. “Freshman Nick Miears is getting the hang of running the races and is getting stronger and more confident at each meet.” He took 93rd with a time of 21:58. Brennan Noyes was 114th with a time of 23:52. Landon Rowley was able to run a 25:10 with a place of 124th. There was a total of 132 male runners for the high school division. Raelynn Norman keeps improving at each meet. She ran a 24:09 placing 29th, 1.38 seconds faster than last year. Chloe Filfred placed 79th with a time of 28:36. “Chloe is doing well and as soon as she realizes that she is a good runner she will take off. She came across her first mile at 8:10, she needs to learn how to hold that pace which will come with time and confidence,” said coach Scoggins. There were a total of 102 female runners for the high school division. The cross country team will run Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Anna Banana Memorial Wildcat Invitational. This is one of the team’s favorite races since the course is flat and very fast. There will be some good competition and times will be very fast.